>> this is bbc world news america. reporting from washington, i'm laura trevelyan couldn't benjamin netanyahu is expected to hold onto power. -- i'm laura trevelyan. benjamin netanyahu is expected to hold onto power. >> right now, the battle here is over. but in many places it is just beginning. >> the new exhibit put this portrait in the spotlight. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and elsewhere around the globe.

israelis went to the polls in general elections today. prime minister jet -- prime minister benjamin netanyahu claimed victory after exit polls showed he would likely lead, the government with a narrow majority. our correspondent is in jerusalem with the latest. >> welcome to jerusalem after three months of a lackluster election campaign. suddenly, israeli politics came alive today about an hour before the polls closed. there was growing excitement and speculation. as expected, benjamin netanyahu is likely to lead the next government. he will be the prime minister for the next four years, but it is a weakened prime minister. his coalition did not get the number of seats it wanted. only 31, according to exit

polls. that is down from the 42 that the two parties had during the last election. what kind of coalition will be formed? it could be the right and religious parties. that is not what he wants. the television presenter, his party came in second place. he said his party will not expect to be in any coalition. will it be a shaky coalition between the right and the left? >> the party activists celebrating tonight in tel aviv. although the number of seats held by the coalition's appears

to have been cut. benjamin need netanyahu's said they can form another government. but the government has undoubtedly been weekend. these voters walked away from benjamin netanyahu, ideological and religious jews who live in settlements in the west bank, settlements that are regarded as illegal under international law. they used to vote for his party and say nessun are to -- netanyahu has abandoned them. >> i do not think anyone ever had a thought that they wanted to say. we might have expected that was a reality thrust upon us, but i do not think anybody wanted it. >> i know that he will still be a leader. but i want to make sure that the coalition is a coalition that i believe in. >> benjamin netanyahu voted

early today, confident he was unlikely to lose his job, but also knowing he might well have to govern a more right-wing coalition. throughout this campaign, benjamin netanyahu has portrayed himself as the only candidate with the strength and experience to tackle israel's many problems. rejecting criticism from home and overseas, he is taking israel down a dangerous confrontational path. mr. netanyahu has authorized even more building in the settlements. there has been no progress in the peace talks with palestinians. the prime minister could isolate israel even further. >> if they often form a government with the extreme right wing and the ultra religious, this is a government that will call -- with the european union, a clash with the obama administration and will not curry favor with

the israeli public. this kind of government might not survive. >> this party led by a formal journalist could now play a role in a more modern government. another newcomer is shaking israel's political landscape. >> benjamin netanyahu has taken this page -- taken the stage. let's listen. >> that was the whole of israeli citizens. i'm hoping to leave these changes and for this purpose, we ought to create a wide as possible government. i started this task already this evening.

the government that will be created will be based on the following principles. the government will be based on five central ideas. the strength and security facing the great challenges. and the main principle was and has been and will be to prevent iran from getting nuclear weapons. secondly, responsibility for the economy in the face of the continual global crisis. thirdly, a governmental responsibility for yearning for

a real peace. enhancement approved equality in network -- enhancement of equality in work, and a reduction in the price of living and the reduction in coalition housing in israel. >> benjamin netanyahu speaking there. what will a new and israeli government mean for the middle east? >> just listen to the list of priorities that we just heard from benjamin netanyahu. the last of the list was about improving economic conditions of life. the third was stopping iran from getting nuclear weapons -- the first was stopping iran from getting nuclear weapons. and the third was about a real peace. this is making the case that israel's interests come first.

that is something that will cause real concern and anxiety, confronting iran, across this region. what does real peace with the palestinians mean? there is much skepticism across the middle east, even israel as well, about whether he wants to pursue a two-state solution. >> there was a higher than expected turnout, which could also shake up the coalition. >> interesting, indeed. israelis show little interest in the election campaign. they said the issues were not really discussed. there were new celebrities on the scene and they were getting tired of new celebrities coming and dominating politics. why would you discuss peace when they have been talking about peace for more than a decade, they would say, and nothing has been done?

but the realization really stuck in that israeli elections do matter. they decided that they better get out because this is an election system where every vote counts. you have seen some real surprises. aboute already talking another election. >> think of that. now to the african nation of mali. they're continuing their fight against islamist rebels tonight. it is a battle they have been waiting for the past week and a half. now the combined force has reclaimed two key towns. one has been under control of is a must for the past four months. here is a special report. >> france takes another step deeper into this conflict, crossing into what was rebel- held territory --

the rubble-held territory. -- rebel-held territory. some may still be in the area. the french quickly begin to check the nearby houses. the population seems relaxed now, and daddies. -- at ease. they came to show was the wreckage. -- show us the wreckage. these are pickup trucks, destroyed, he tells me, by french helicopters. two jihadists were killed here, he says. we find more charred wreckage nearby. with great precision, french forces were hoping to direct the air strikes. they attacked the town for a reason. the army garrison, packed with weapons, and not as well guarded

as you might expect. some would suggest more than 100 of them seized the town in a day. french air strikes clearly did their job, but before they left, the rebels have the chance to live to this huge arsenal, giving them plenty of weapons for the war ahead. right now, the battle here is over. but the insurgency may be just beginning. what we have learned today it is clear this army is part of the problem. one soldier has agreed to show me why. he is based in the garrison that was hit in the town when it was overrun. the is thomas came here to look for him and trashed his belongings -- the islamists came here to look for him and trashed his

belongings. former colleagues from his own army unit. do you know the names of these people? would you recognize them? >> yes, he says. effective last year when the toregas star there -- they defected last year when the tuareg started their rebellion. many of our comrades became our enemies, he said. now we will hunt them down and kill them all. the fact that some of the men appeared to protect this town and were actual former members of the mainly in army and -- of the malian army shows that the problems here are homegrown. no easy solution then.

>> at least one person is in custody after a shooting at a college campus in texas. local authorities think there could be to that -- could potentially be a second gun man. three people have been wounded. students and teachers were advised to take an immediate shelter. the car bombs around the iraqi camp was in baghdad. kelly 16 and wounded dozens more. at least one of the attacks happened when a bomber drove the car pool of explosives into an army checkpoint. the dow as wesleyan president's -- the venezuelan president hugo chávez is said to return home once he has completed his treatment in cuba. hugo chávez is said to be gaining strength after complications from an operation

to treat an undisclosed cancer. you are watching bbc world news america. still to come, 40 years after a court to give women the right to choose, we take a look at why many abortion clinics have had to shut their doors. the british grandmother has been sentenced to death in indonesia after being convicted of trying to smuggle a large amount of cocaine to bali. her lawyer said on appeal that the british governor -- the lawyer said he would appeal and the british governor condemned the sentence. >> lynnae de standiford was expecting -- lyndsey standiford was expecting a verdict yesterday, but nothing like this. >> lyndsey standiford has been found guilty of importing narcotics. she will be sentenced to death. >> judges said she had damaged

the reputation of bali and did not appear to care about the consequences of her actions. covering her head, she refused to speak to reporters as she left court. the mother of two has been in the spotlight ever since she was arrested last may in bali. a police found 4.8 kilograms of cocaine in her suitcase her lawyer said she will appeal. >> i think judges -- the judges did not take into consideration her remorse for her actions. in her previous statements she has already said she regretted what she did and has apologized to the government of indonesia. >> this judgment has shocked those in bali and around the world, but it appears the judges were trying to send out a message. get caught carrying drugs into bali, and he will face serious consequences. they do not want anyone or anything to ruin the image of their peaceful holiday island.

the u.k. is strongly opposed to the death penalty. while these diplomatic discussions continue, her fate hangs in the balance. bbc news, bali. >> yesterday, the supreme court justices to center stage in the inauguration of president obama. it was a decision handed down 40 years ago that for every change america. in roe vs. wade, women were given the constitutional right to an abortion. ever since, those rights have been rolled back. in mississippi, only -- the only abortion clinic may soon be forced to close.

>> how do you feel today? >> anxious. >> 19-year-old, anderson is 12 weeks pregnant. she is about to see the fetus growing inside of her for the first time. but she has chosen not to have her baby. and she is having an ultrasound because under mississippi state law, she is required to look at the image of the fetus before being allowed to have an abortion. >> the thought of giving it away, i could not bear that, because i would be attached to it. but i cannot care for it either. >> she is having her termination in mississippi's only abortion clinic. she may be one of the last woman

to have the procedure here. in the next few days, the judge could shut it down. protesters from a local church have gathered outside and tried to dissuade women from going inside. this clinic is not just facing opposition. the majority of mississippi's politicians want it to close, too. in many parts of america is now harder to get an abortion than at any point since roe vs. wade. and that is because of laws being passed like this one. it is why mississippi is now one of four states with one abortion clinic left. pro-life lobbyists have been working with state governments across the country to restrict abortions by imposing so many regulations on clinics that they can no longer operate. >> we were last on civil rights,

but we can be right -- we can be first on human rights. instead of being laughed, we want to be first at something, and we believe being first ending abortion is a good thing. >> 3 hours drive from jackson, you have reached the mississippi delta. in one of the poorest parts of america, choosing to have an abortion is not an option for many women. they cannot afford to pay for the procedure. >> she is 13 years old. last month, she gave birth to her daughter. >> it is hard to go to school. i'm very sleepy.

>> [indiscernible] >> gin at ground level has been working with pregnant teenagers in the delta and for 17 years. she is worried that the jackson clinic closes, more of these weylandt will have an unwanted pregnancies. -- more of these women will have unwanted pregnancies. >> [indiscernible] >> hsu became a mother two years ago when she had her daughter. now out of work, she is struggling with her decision not to become a mother again. >> i know this is something i

have to do. i have to do this for me. >> bbc news, mississippi. >> the restriction of abortion rights 40 years after roe vs. wade. turning out a new exhibit this week in london. he has been described as the founding father of modern art. he painted portraits, which are now focus. we take a closer look. >> this is the 19th century french artist edouard manet. he might look conservative, but he was not. he was rebellious and radical. he broke a establishment rules by painting his friends, including his sister-in-law. he ought to have shows in religious' or classical subjects. but like dickens, he was interested in document in

contemporary life. >> he wanted to capture the essence of things. a which he did by painting a subject directly onto the canvas without making sketches. and by taking a radical new approach to the art of painting. >> his understanding gave it a license, if you like, not to use the carriveau gradation from light to shade. what he did was juxtaposed dark again slide. you get these blocks the side- by-side with very little modulation between the two. it was pretty shocking at the time. >> the artists and academics credit mannai to be a founding

father of modern art. >> of this idea of art, reflecting contemporary life is modern art. et rankssay edward man among the giants, like velazquez and and others. correct has he been overshadowed in the public's consciousness by his contemporary, claude monet? perhaps, because he refused to be labeled an impressionist, even though he encouraged and supported them. he wanted to be judged on his own merit. something that the academy will now be able to do. >> monday and verses mannai, just before we go, and the polls in israel suggest prime

minister netanyahu has won a narrow victory in today's election. just a short time ago, he delivered his victory speech. he said in a clear iran is the primary challenge that israel faces. he will begin again for coalition partners. that brings today's program to a close. you can continue watching bbc world news for constant updates around the world. check our los -- local listings for channel number and also at our website. thank you for watching.

news at bbc.com/news. >> funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles.

captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions >> brown: the first working day of president obama's second term began with an inter-faith prayer service at washington's national cathedral. good evening. i'm jeffrey brown. >> ifill: and i'm gwen ifill. on the newshour tonight, what's ahead for the next four years? we explore the vision and the agenda laid out in the president's inaugural address. >> brown: then, from tel aviv, margaret warner reports on the israeli elections, as prime minister benjamin netanyahu's party was on track to stay in power by a narrow margin. netanyahu tries to put together, it's sure to include new faces and new agendas that will influence the country. >> ifill: we examine a new study on concussions, showing the impact of hard hits on the brains of living but retired n.f.l. players. >> i go through stages where i think how come i can't remember that and i always wondered are these age-related or are they conclusion related?